Shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like

ABSTRACT

A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like. A plurality of longitudinally arrayed supporting frames is connected by connecting means, which connects at least alternate ones of the frames to form them into units. Displacing means displaces the supporting frames individually or the units with reference to one another, between a supporting position and a shifting position in which the respective frames or units are advanced in forward direction. Operating means decreases the dimensions of the frames in a plane transverse to the direction of advancement preparatory to displacement to the shifting position, and increases the dimensions upon displacement from the shifting position to the support position.

United States Patent 1191 Walbriihl 1 SHIFTABLE SUPPORT FOR USE IN TUNNELS, MINES AND THE LIKE [76] Inventor: Heinz-Theo Walbriihl, Nordstrasse 73, Bonn, Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 138,705

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 4, 1970 Germany 2021734 [52] US. Cl. 61/45 C, 61/45 R [51] Int. Cl E210 19/00 [58] Field of Search 61/45 D, 45 C, 45 R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,115,754 12/1963 Joseph ..61/45D 3,306,055 2/1967 Tabor ..61/85 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,089,710 12/1958 Germany 61/45 D 1,127,840 4/1962 Germany 151/45 R May 28, 1974 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor v Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker 1 [57] ,ABSTRACT A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like. A plurality of longitudinally arrayed supporting frames is connectedby connecting means, which connects at least alternate ones of the frames to form them into units. Displacing means displaces the supporting frames individually or the units with reference to one another, between a supporting position and a shifting position in which the respective frames or units are advanced in forwarddirection. Operating means decreases the dimensions of the frames in a plane transverse to the direction of advancement preparatory to displacement to the shifting position,-and increases the dimensions upon displacement from the shifting position to the support position.

30 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PAIENIEWN 3,812,680

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention'relates generally to a support, and more particularly to a shiftable support. Still more specifically the invention relates to a shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like.

Hereafter the'invention will be described with reference to its use in supporting tunnels or mine shafts having an at least substantially horizontal orientation or longitudinal axis. it is to be-noted, however, that this is only for purposes of convenience in description and that the present invention can equally well be utilized for application wherein the tunnel, mine shaft or the like has a vertical or substantially vertical longitudinal axis. it will also be appreciated thatit is not limited to support use in tunnels or mine shafts, but that it can be utilized for supporting functions in elongated building structures or the like or for other support purposes.

- It is already known, most particularly from the construction of tunnels or mine shafts, to provide three supporting frames which are spaced from one another in the axial direction of the respective tunnel or mine shaft. These supporting frames are composed of a peripheral supporting element extending, along the surface of the tunnel or mine shaft anda base plate, with vertical and transversebraces beingprovided for rigidity. The three frames are connectedwith one another by connecting members and are braced-with reference to one another. Support elements-are supported on the peripheral elements of the frames, or else cutter elements are supported on them, and the thus-supported elements are advanced in forward longitudinal direction of the respective tunnel or mine shaft by-means of suitable pressure-exerting elements as the materialat the head of the shaft is being removed. When the material has been removed forwardly of the leading one of the frame members by a distance corresponding to the distance between two consecutive ones of the three frame members, the trailing one of the frame members is disassembled and its individual components are transported forwardly through the two remaining frame members and are erected in front of the heretofore leading frame member. This, incidentally, isthe manner'in which such supports are shifted forwardly, not only in tunnel and mine shaft construction but also in other applications in which these support devices have found use.

It will be appreciated that this approach has certain disadvantages. particularly. although not exclusively where tunnelsof large cross-sectional areas are being constructed. in particular, the support frames must be composed of a plurality of individual components which must not be too heavy and must not be too large, and these components must be releasably connected with one another. The reason for this is, of course, that the limited available, space and the necessity for having to transport the individual components through the two leading frames. dictate these requirements. Given these necessities it will be clear that the supporting frames are expensive and that the disassembly of the respectively trailing supporting frame, the transportation of its constituent components, and the reassembly thereof, are time-consuming, difficult and expensive.

Furthermore, it is a disadvantage of the prior art that the distance by which the tunnel or mine shaft is driven forwardly cannot be varied at will in accommodation to different weights or stresses which might be encountered. The reason for this is that the connecting and bracing elements which connect the successive frames with one another, and which of course must also be releasably connected with the frames, have a fixed length. This means that the distance through which the.

mine shaft or tunnel must be driven forwardly each time before the trailing support frame can be advanced and erected at the head of the shaft or tunnel, must be so selected as to accommodate the maximum stresses which it is anticipated to encounter. Thus, even if the circumstances are such that low stresses or weights are encountered, the supporting frames must be disassembled, transported and reassembled precisely as many times as under circumstances where maximum weights or stresses are encountered. 7

Again, if the tunnel or mine shaft is to curve, that is if it is to deviate from a straight line, there is the further disadvantage that the connecting and bracing elements connecting successive ones of the frames must be either shortened or lenghtened with respect to their original length, depending upon their distance from the center of thecurve, and that this frequently causes difficultles. v Another difficulty is caused by. the factthat especially ifa tunnel or mine shaft is driven through loose or relatively I loose ground, the finished section in which shoring or the like is erected-m'ust fall immediately rearwardly of the newly driven section. This means that the shoring for the finished section can be erected only after the trailing supporting frame has been disassembled and transported forwardly. The result of this is that the shoring and concrete-reinforcing work cannot be carried out simultaneously and independently of the operations required for driving the tunnel or mine shaft deeper into the ground, but can be carried out only successively. This of course increases the time required for completion and alternately causes the crews working in the two sections to be idle while they are waiting for the respectively other crew to perform its work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved shiftable support of the type under discussion in which the necessity for disassembling the trailing supporting frame, transporting the disassembled trailing supporting frame and re-erecting the transported supporting frame, is avoided.

' It is a concomitant object of the invention that the length or distance towhich the tunnel or mine shaft is driven forwardly into the ground can be continuously varied without having to take into consideration the spacing between consecutive ones of thesupporting frames. At the same time, it is an object of the invention to facilitate and simplify the construction of the passage being supported by the novel support, when the passage deviates from a straight line, that is when curves, inclines or declines are to be formed.

Still a further object of the invention is to make it possible to carry out the tunnel or mine shaftadvancing operations and the shoring of the completed sections simultaneously and independently of one an other.

In pursuance of the above objects, and of others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like which, briefly stated, comprises a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and connecting means connecting at least some of these supporting frames with one another. Displacing means is provided for displacing the supporting frames at least individually between a supporting position and a shifting position. Operating means decreases the dimensions of the frames in a plane transverse to the aforementioned direction preparatory to v displacement to the shifting position, and increases these dimensions upon displacement from the shifting position to the support position.

It will thus be seen that the invention is based upon the principle of no longer having to disassemble the respectively trailing supporting frame, advancing itthrough the leading supporting frame or frames in form of its constituent components, and erecting it in front of the leading supporting frame. Instead, the individual frames can be changed in their dimensions so that rearward frames can pass through'fram'es located in'front of them, and the framescan be advanced in forward direction without disassembly. While one or more ofthe frames are being shifted forwardly, the remaining frames perform the-necessary supporting function.

According to the present invention it is also possible to connect ,every other supporting frame with one another. In other words, according to anembodiment of the invention there will be provided at least four supporting frames with the first and third frames being connected to form a unit, and with the second and fourth frame similarly being connected to form a unit which is independent of the first-mentioned one. These unitsare then independently movable.

It is also advantageous according to a further concept of the invention to provide articulate connections between the frame members and the connecting members connecting them, and to make the connecting members length-adjustabie, preferably continuously by varying means such as spindles, presses, springs, wedges or the 'like. This. inconjunction with the articulate: connections substantially simplifies the advancement of the shiftable support around curves. v

The braces which brace the peripheral supporting elements of the respective support frames may be provided with winches or hydraulic pressure-exerting elements and may be constructed so that with the aid of these elements they can be shortened or lengthened in order to thereby increase or decrease the dimensions of the frames in the plane transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support.

Similar telescoping winches or hydraulic pressure exerting units may be provided in the peripheral elements themselves. for the same dimensional variation purposes. The peripheral elements may be composed of two or more sections which maybe connected by means of hinges having hinge axes extending in parallelism with the longitudinal direction of the support.

If hydraulically operated units are utilized,.they may be connected with a pressure reservoir which supplies additional pressure fluid to them in case of and in auto-;

matic response to pressure loss in the pressuredevices. This assuresthat if shifts should take place in; the soil or other material surrounding the shiftable support, adjustments are automatically carried out, for instance if the material settles in direction outwardly away from the frames, the size of the frames would automatically increase in the plane transverse to the aforementioned longitudinaI direction. This means that the load system on which the static calculations are based, will be maintained even in case of settling or the like Also, this construction avoids the danger that in case the bases of the frames should settle, danger to buildings above a tunnel could result due to a downward displacement of the frames away from the tunnel roof with concomitant settling of the ground in downward direction.

In order to avoid bending stresses upon the winches or hydraulic pressure units, telescoping but rigid and bending-resistant reinforcing devices may be provided which bridge these units. They may be composed of telescopic sleeves and shafts which are secured to the members whose dimensions are to be varied by the pressure units, being secured thereto at the opposite ends of the pressure units, if necessary by means of separate connecting elements. In this construction the possibility of bending damage to the pressure-exerting units is avoided. I I

Toassurethat the shoring of a trailingtunnel section and the advancement of the leading tunnel section can be carried on simultaneously, the present invention suggests that if the passage being constructed has an at least substantially horizontailongitudinal axis, the cutting elements carried by the shiftable support and located in the region of the lower ends of the frames, are provided at their trailing ends with shortened reinforcing ribs. The last supporting frame for the leading tunnel section being driven into the ground is then spaced from the trailing section to be shored by a distance which is greater than the length of the section to be shored, so that the shoring of the next trailing section can begin simultaneously with the work in advancing the tunnel or shaft further by another leading section. The cutters, beginning at the roof of the tunnel are forwardly shifted from above in downward direction, whereas the shoring is carried out from the tunnel sole in upward direction. The height-of the side walls which.

are supported by the cutters with shortened reinforcing ribs must be so selected that when the shoring reaches the boundary between the cutters with shortened and the cutters with reinforcing ribs of normal length, such cutters which are located upwardly have already been advanced in forward direction, as will be discussed in more detail subsequently.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be'best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a support accordingto the present invention, as seen in longitudinal axial direction; V

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary axial section through a tunnel provided with a support according to the present inventron;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating a different embodiment of the invention in a first stage of its forward shifting movement;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3 at a subsequent second stage;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3 in a subsequent third stage of shifting;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an embodiment for use in a tunnel of rectangular crosssection;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic fragmentary detail view of one of the supporting frames;

FIG. 8 is a further diagrammatic view of a detail of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating anvadditional embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a section through FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional detail view illustrating a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing firstly the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that we have shown a tunnel having a leading section'A which is being further driven into the ground, and a trailing section which has already been driven andwhich is to be shored. The trailing section is identified with F, the leading section with A and the head of the tunnel with B. In the tunnel is provided a shiftable support according to the present invention composed in a manner still to be discussed, but using as its basic components four supporting frames 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d which are spaced from one another in longitudinal direction of the tunnel.

Each of the frames 10, that is frames l0a-l0d of which the frame, 10a is located adjacent the head B of the tunnel, is composed of a peripheral supporting ele-' ment 12 which extends along the tunnel surface, a base 14 as well as braces. The braces of the frame 10a are identified as braces [60 and 18a, those of the frame I017 are identified as the braces 16b and 18b, etc. It will be noted that, as particularly clearly shown in FIG. I, the braces 16a and I8a and the braces 16c and 18c of the first and third frames 10a and 100 are offset with reference to the braces 16b, 16d and 18b, 18d of the frames 10b and 10d. This arrangement is necessary because in the illustrated embodiment the frames 10a and 106 are connected by connecting elements 22 which extend in at least approximate parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the support, and similarly the frames 10b and 10d are connected by connecting elements 20. Thus, the frames 1.0a and' IOC form one unit and the frames 10b and 1011 form a second independent unit. It is to be noted. however, that the arrangement of the frames in units is by no means necessary or to be considered limiting. and also that the offsetting of the supports or braces 16 and 18 is not necessary. Depending upon the construction, the horizontal forces to be transmitted, and other considerations the braces 16 and 18 of the frames may also be located in planes behind one another, with the elements 20 or 22 being arranged laterally offset on the braces 16 and 18.

FIG. 2 shows particularly clearly that the cutters 24 are positioned against the outer side of the elements 12, and that they are provided in their end portions which are left in FIG. 2 with reinforcing ribs-26, whereas their right-hand end portions are not reinforced and serve as outer shoring for the section F. The cutters 24 form in the section A of the tunnel a complete shoring and covering of the tunnel surface and are advanced forwardly beyond the frame 10 by means of pressure units. This manner of providing the cutters and of'advancing them is known per se and is not a part of the invention. In place of the cutters 24 other elements could also be utilized in conjunction with the support according to the present invention.

As already indicated before, the dimensions of the frames 10 can be varied, that is they can be made smaller in a plane transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tunnel and of the support, or their dimensions can be increased. The purpose is to decrease the dimensions so that the frames will have a lesser height and width when they are in their shifting position and a greater height and width when they are in their sup porting position in which they support the cutters 24. FIG. I shows that this is achieved by providing at the upper ends of the braces 16 winches or, preferably, hydraulic presses 28 by means of which the lengths of the braces 16 can be increased or decreased. End portions 42 of the cross braces 18, which are articulately connected with the element 12 at 38, are telescopic for which purpose slots 40 are provided at the ends of the cross braces 18 in the illustrated embodiment, in which the end portions 42 are guided with transverse projections or bolts, with wedges being provided which are identified with reference numeral 44 and can be driven between appropriate abutments provided on the cross braces 18 or the end portions 42 in order to drive the latter laterally outwardly. While the just-discussed 'arrangement of the units 28 and the telescopic connections and use of the wedges 44 in the discussed and illustrated manner are currently preferred, it will be ap-. preciated that the devices 28 could be located at other points of the braces 16 and that thetelescopic connections and the wedges 44 could be provided at other points of the cross braces 18. 7

When the devices 28 are lowered, the apex of the peripheral member 12 will similarly become lowered and the vertical dimension of the respective frame 10 will decrease. In order to reduce the lateral or transverse. dimension, however, it is necessary that the element 12 be composed of at least two sections which are connected by a hinge which, preferably, is arranged in the region of the head piece which is identified in FIG. I with reference numeral 30. In FIG. 7 I have illustrated a currently preferred embodiment of this head piece 30 and it will be seen from this Figure that at the upper end of the brace 16' there is provided a head 17 on which the divided element 12 is slidably supported on the slides 32. A winch, preferably a hydraulic press 34 is located between the two sections of the element 12 and pivotally connected with their ends by means of transversely extending pins 36. Extension or retraction of the device 34 increases or decreases the dimensions of the element 12. It is advantageous that cover plates are provided which cover the head piece 30 at opposite axial sides of the frame.

It is further advantageous, as illustrated in FIG. I, to provide additional hydraulic or other pressure units 37 adjacent the lower ends of the legs of the elements 12, these devices 37 being anchored on the base element 14. Four shifting drives 46 are also provided as shown in FIG. 1. Two of them are mounted on the base elements l4 and two on the peripheral elements 12. They may again be hydraulic pressure units or winches which on the one hand are secured to the frames a, 10c and on the other hand to the frames 10b, 10d, the connection being pivotal. I

To facilitate an understanding of the operation of the invention, an operating cycle of the inventive support will now be explained with reference to the lefthand sides of FIGS. 2 and 3, as well as with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it being understood that in this instance the support is-used in supporting a tunnel which is being formed. f

As soon as the lower portion of the tunnel head B which in FIG. 2 is still untouched, has been removed by requisite advancement of the cutters 24, the frames 10a and 100 are retracted by retracting the devices 28 and 34 as well as the telescopic connections 40, 42 and 44. This decreases the height and the lateral dimensions of the frames I00 and 100 so that these move out of frictional engagement with the reinforcing ribs 26 of the cutters 24. The load is now supported by the rebers I4 become raised above the tunnel floor. This phase or stage is shown at the left-hand portion of FIG.

devices 28 and 34 are now operated in a sense counter to their previous operation, and similarly the telescopic connection 40, 42 and 44 is operated'in this contrary sense, whereby the dimensions of the frames 10a and 100 in vertical and Ia teralor transverse direction are increased to the necessary size until they engage'the surrounding material of thetunnel. This stage is shown in FIG. 4. I i

In the next stage the frames 10b and 100' are similarly advanced as described with reference to the frames 10a and 10c, and during this advancement the frames 10a and 10c alone support the tunnel weight. When this is done. the stage shown in FIG. 5 has been reached, corresponding to the position of the frames 10 in the lefthand portion in FIG. .2, except that now the frames 10a and 10b are closely adjacent the forward end of the cutters 24, and the frames 10c and 10d are correspondingly advanced forwardly, so that the cutters 24 can now be drivenforwardly'to form the next tunnel section. 1

It willbe appreciated from the above description that the operating means for changing the height of the frames 10 includes the hydraulic presses 28 whereas the operating means for changing the width of the frames 10 includes thehydraulic presses 34 and -37 as well as the end portions 42 of the braces 18, the slots 40 provided in the latter and the wedges 44. it will also be seen that the shifting drives 46 and the rollers 50 are displacing means for advancing the frames 10 along the tunnel.

FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically that in the event the tunnel floor is not sufficiently weight-supportive, or if there is danger that the tunnel floor might settle, anchoring elements, namely, poles 54 may be secured to the frames 10, preferably by drive means such as hydraulic presses 52, which are driven by the presses 52 into the floor of the tunnel when the frames are in their supporting position. This results in a substantial carrying capability and also in an excellent anchoring of the frames 10 against forces actingin axial direction of the tunnel.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, I have illustrated a supporting frame 10' for use in a tunnel or shaft having a rectangular cross-section, as opposed to the previous embodiments where the tunnel or shaft was of vaulted cross-section. In all other significant features the embodiment of FIG. 6 corresponds to the preceding em-, bodiments, and like reference numerals identify like components but have been provided with a prime designation.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 there is a further difference in that the devices 37' are anchored not on the el' ement 14 but instead at the lower end portions of the braces 16.

The present invention provides, according to an advantageous embodiment, that the hydraulic devices 28 and 34 receive pressure fluid via pressure storage devices with automatic oil supply. 'The arrangement is such thatautomatically oil under pressure is supplied into the devices 28 and 34 if the pressure in these devices decreases. This assures that at decreasing pressure in the devices 28, 34for instance as the result of settling orshifting of the material in which the tunnel is formed, the devices 28 and 34 will automaticallyincrease the dimensions of the frames 10 so that the latter can support the weight. Thus, the supporting system on which static calculations are based is always maintained, even if settling or similar occurrences should come about, and this results in a substantial reduction of the possibilities of accidents. Also, damage to buildings above the tunnel due to settling is avoided because the settling is avoided.

Devices and apparatus for removing material from the head B of the tunnel, as well as presses or similar devices for the tunnel face 74. and material removal devices which transport the material rearwardly out of the tunnel, have notbeen illustrated. However, according to the invention they can be made fast with the leading or forward frame 10a because in contrast to the known constructions this leading frame 10a always remainsthe leading one, thatis it never changes its sequence with reference to the other frames. The distance through which the tunnels are advanced forwardly can be continuously varied whenever desired. If for instance the surrounding material in which the tunnel is produced exerts a high pressure, then the frames can be advanced frequently and through short distances, whereas if lower pressures are exerted greater sections of the tunnel head can be hollowed out before the frames are advanced, this time through longer distances. Moreover, the possibility of tilting the frames of the'two units with reference to one another, greatly facilitates the advancement of the support around curves or the like.

The description'of the operation of the novel support thus far has been with reference to its use in the section A in which material is being removed to drive the tunnel deeper. The operation of the support in the section F (shown in theright-hand side of FIGS. 2 and 3) in which shoring is to be carried out, corresponds to what has already been discussed above, in all essential features. In FIGS. 2 and 3 the concrete shoring is identifiedwith reference numeral 60. To form it, an inner movable shoring composed of shoring elements 62 of constant'width .is-erected, and these elements 62 are supported on elements 65'which in turn are supported on longitudinal supports-64 which aremaintained by suitable elements 66 in their position at the outer side of the peripheral elements 12 of the frames 10. The elements at the same time serve fortransmitting load to the frames which are respectively in supporting position, that is those frames which remain to support the load while the other frames are being shifted forwardly. To provide removable shoring for a new tunnel section the elements 64 whose length equals the length of the section to be shored, are advanced by suitable means such as hydraulic presses or'the like, beyond the frames 10 by a distance which corresponds to the length of the new section to be shored. Thereupon a new element 65 is placed onto the thus advancedelements 64 and the shoring elements 62 connected .with the element 65, whereupon, the support is advanced in the manner described before. In the section F (see especially FIG. 2) the frames of the support are identified with reference characters l"a, "b, l0' 'c and l0" d. Asbefore, the frames l0"a and .l0"b are connected by elements to form a unit, and the frames 10"!) and 10"d are connected by elements 22" to form a'separate independent unit. A detailed description of the operating stages of the support with respect to its use in the section F is not necessary, because the description which has been given before with respect .to its use in the tunnel section A is fully applicable here also. I

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 the support serves particularly for supporting the shoring. Here, the

peripheral element 12" carries stilts or-supports 96 of identical height distributed about the element 12', and these in turn carry longitudinally extending elements 94 which extend in parallelism with the tunnel axis. The designations 94 and 96 apply to the elements connected with one of 'the units composed of two frames, whereas the similar elements connectedwith the other unit composed of theremaining two frames are identitied with reference characters 96 and 94', respectively. Because the elements 94 or 94. advance with their respective unit. the elements 94 of the one unit are offset with respect to the elements 94 of the other unit. The presence'ofthe elements 96 and 96" is necessary to permit the dimensional decrease of the frames of the one unit for shifting the unit forwardly, whereas the remaining unit supports the shoring. In this embodiment-and this is contrary to the embodiment described with respect to FIG. 2-the elements 94 and 94' advanceforwardly with the respective units composed of two connected frames, whereas inthe-embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2 the corresponding elements 64 had to be separately advanced by means of suitable advancing members.

If in an embodiment such as that of 'FIGS. 9 and 10 an individual unit is composed of more than two successively arranged frames, then the elements 94 or 94' can be pushed over the individual frames, for instance in order to be able to advance the unit around a curve of the tunnel in conjunction with the pivo tal connection 92 of the elements 20 and 22 which is shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 2, and with the lengthvariable construction of the elements 20 and 22. In other words, such' a construction permits the frames of the individual units to be inclined to an angle which differs by 90 with reference to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel, so that the frames are no longer in parallelism with one another. This has been already discussed above and therefore needs no additional discussion.

It has already been pointed out that when the unit is used in the section A of the tunnel, auxiliary devices such as material-removal devices or the like can be made fast with the leading frame 10a. It will be appreciated that in similar manner the use of the devices in the tunnel section F permits the fixed connection of the leading shoring for the final concrete sheathingor shoring 60, fast with the leading frame 10"a. This results in a substantial simplification of the shoring operations. In FIG. 8 I have illustrated an' advantageous embodiment of the leading'shoring and the manner in which itcan be connected. The leading frame is provided with a peripheral element on which there is secured in horizontal orientation a sleeve 82 accommodating in slidable manner a rod 84. An angle arm'86, 88 is fast with the rod 84 and the free end of the arm 88 can be placed into abutment with the outer side of the shoring elements 90.The pressure of the concrete against the shoring elements 90 results in the exertion of an offcenter force upon the rod 84'which in turn causes -a skewing of the rod in the sleeve82 and consequently a retention of the rod in this sleeve against displacement. To remove the shoring, a hammer blow is exerted upon the end of the rod 84 which is the righthand end in FIG. 8, whereby the rod 84 becomes displaceable and can be shifted in the sleeve 82 in direction towards the left-hand side, permitting the arm 86, 88 to be moved out of engagement with the elements 90 so that the latter can be "removed,

The support according to the present invention must be able to withstand, inter alia, substantial forces which act transversely'to the plane of the frames 10, that is approximately in the axial direction of the tunnel. These forces are distributed by the elements 20, 22to the individual frames 10. However, it must be avoided that the units 28 in the braces 16 of the frames 10 undergo bending as a result of such forces, because they are neither intended nor constructed for withstanding such forces because as a result of bending caused by such forces the cylinder would be placed askew with reference to the piston and piston rod whereby the device would freeze and become inoperative. It follows from this that it is necessary to prevent the application of such stresses to the devices 28, that is to prevent and 72 become telescoped apart or together and abbending of the devices 28, so that only longitudinal forces act within the braces 16 in the region of the devices 28.

FIG. 11 illustrates diagrammatically another embodiment which serves the same purpose as the one just discussed. Here the two end portions of the braces 16, between which the device 28 is provided, are connected with one another by a telescopic tube 101 which surrounds the device 28 and which is rigidly connected to one end of the brace 16 by means of the connector 99, whereas its other end is glidably connected with the opposite end of the brace 16 by means of the connector 100. Articulated joints 98 connect the device 28 with the opposite ends of the brace 16 and with this construction bending forces in the brace 16 are transmitted from one end to the other of the braces 16 exclusively via the telescopic tube 101, and do not act upon the device 28. The telescopic tube 101 slides over the connector 100 when the device 28 is tended.v

retracted or ex-,

With respect to FIG. 2, a further advantage of the invention will now be discussed. if, as shown in FIG. 2, the last frame in the section A of the tunnel is spaced from the section F by a distance which .is greater than the length of the sections to be shored, the shoring of the'nex't section F cansbe carried out'simultaneously with the work for driving forwardlythe next section A of the tunnel. if, further, cutter elements 24' are providedin the lower side regions of the tunnel walls whose reinforcing" ridges 26. are shortened at their trailing endswith respect to the-cutter elements 24 at the tunnel roof and with, respect to the non-shortened reinforcing ribs 26 thereof, then the trailing ends of the reinforcing ribs 26 and 26'. will all be located. approximately in a common transverse plane, given the position of the support illustrated inFlG. 2 where the upper portion of the tunnel cross-section has been further re moved at the tunnel head than the. lower portion. The trailing end of the reinforcing ridges or ribs 26' is identified in FIG. 2 by the broken line 27 which indicates that the ribs 26 are still supported on the trailing frame 10b. Because in the driving of a tunnel the region in the tunnel roof is removed first and the region near the tunnel floor is'removed only later from the tunnel head, as

shown in FIG. 2, the pouring of concrete for the next section F to be shored can be begun already while the lower portion of the tunnel cross-section at the tunnel head is still being removed. The length reduction of the reinforcing ribs 26 at the cutters 24". is possible for static reasons without any difficulties,zbecause the pressure exerted by the surrounding material on the cutters 24' is less than that exerted on the cutters 24 at the tunnel roof.

A further variant of the shoring is shown in the righthand portion of FIG. 3, where in place'of the elements 62 illustrated in FIG. 2 the elements 68 are provided which are comparable, with the cutters 24 and which are advanced in forward direction by means of suitable non-illustrated presses or the like in the manner of a sliding shoring. I r

lt will be appreciated that although the invention has herein been described with reference to the use of the present invention'in a tunnel, mine shaft or the like having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, the invention is not limited to this concept and can be utilized with tunnels, mine shafts or the like which have an inclined axis, for instance a vertical or substantiallly vertical axis, be they of round or rectangular crosssection. In such a case the peripheral elements of the frames are made circumferentially complete-that is the base element 14 is omitted-and its adjacent end portions may be made telescopic so that the frames can be contracted or expanded radially.

The invention provides many advantages which will I be evident to those skilled in the art, in addition to solving the problems which were outlined in the introductory portions of this specification. Because the sequence of the frames as seen in the longitudinal direction of the support does not change, the connection of material-removal machines or other components to the leading frame becomes possible, as already discussed above. This means, of course, that these auxiliary ma- I chines or devices advance with the leading frame without having to be separately moved. Also, supporting elements may be provided on the leading frame which press against and support the tunnel head to prevent its collapse until such time as the material is to be intentionally removed. Furthermore, fewer of the highly skilled personnel required heretofore are now needed with the present invention, because the size variations as well as the advancing of the frames can be partially or completely automated, for instance if these functions are carried out by hydraulically operated presses, suchas cylinder and piston units. This is evidently an advantage not only in terms of lesser expenses but also as a safety factor, because clearly the fewer operators must be in the tunnel, mine shaft or the like, the smaller will be the danger of physical injury in case of an accident. ln fact, all functions of the support according to similar passage can be driven and shored, reducing the time required volved.

It is evident, of course, that the support according to the present invention can be used not only below ground for driving tunnels, mine shafts or the like, but can also be used above ground in the erection of structures in which a shoring support having the capability of longitudinal advancement, is required.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful appliation in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a shiftablesupport for usein tunnels, mines and the like, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention'and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected for completion and the expenses inby Letters Patent is set forthin the appended claims:

frames arrayed in longitudinal direction and each composed of at least two parts pivotally connected for pivoting movement in a plane transverse to said longitudinal direction; connecting means extending in said longitudinal direction and connecting respective ones of said supporting frames; first operating means for pivoting said parts of the respective frames outwardly away from one another, and inwardly toward one another, depending upon whether the width of a respective frame is to be increased or decreased; and second operating means for vertically extending and retracting the respective frames, depending upon whether the height of a respective frame is to-be increased or decreased.

2. A support as defined in claim 1, wherein said parts are pivoted together at the uppermost region of the respective frame; and wherein said first operating means engages said parts at the lower region of the same frame.

3. A support as defined in claim 2, wherein said first operating means comprises hydraulically operable means.

4. A support as defined in claim 1, wherein said two parts have upper endportions which are transversely spaced from one another in said plane; and further comprising a cylinder-and-piston unit located between said upper end portions and having opposite ends each of which is pivoted to one of said upper end portions.

5. A support as defined inclaim l, and further comprising displacing means for displacing said supporting frame at least individually in said longitudinal direction.

6. A shiftablc-supportfor use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal-direction and each including a peripheral element and bracing elements bracing the peripheral element, each of said frames having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing saidsupporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; and: operating means for decreasing 1 both ofsaid dimensions of each of saidframes individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both ofsaid dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position, said operating means acting'upon said bracing elements in a sense lengthening and shortening the same for varying both of said dimensions of said frames in said plane.

7. A support as defined in claim 6, wherein said displacing means is located between successive ones of said frames. 7

8. A support as defined in claim 6, said frames including at least four individual frames; and wherein said connecting means comprises connecting elements extending in said direction and connecting the first and third frames into a first unit, and the second and fourth frames into a second unit which is independent-of said first unit, said displacing meansbeing located between said units.

9. A support as defined in claim 6, said connecting means comprising elongated connecting members and connecting elements articulately connecting said connecting members with respective ones of said frames.

6, said operating and said bracing elements including upright bracing'elements having upper end portions; and wherein said operating means are provided at least in part in the regions of said upper end portions.

14. A support as defined in claim 6, said bracing elements comprising telescopable transverse bracing elements.

15. A support as defined in claim 14, said transverse bracing elements having a main portion and. at least one main telescopable end portion. a

16. A support as defined in claim 6, said frames including a leading frame and a trailing frame seen with a reference to the direction of shifting of said support; and further comprising auxiliary components mounted on said leading frame and carried thereby.

17. A support as defined in claim 6, said frames including a leading frame and a trailing frame seen with reference to the direction of shifting of said support; and further comprising a plurality of tubular members mounted on said leading frame paralleling said direction, and a plurality of sliding rods each accommodated in one of said tubular members and including an angled arm exteriorly of the tubular member.

18. A support as defined in claim 6; further comprising support elements loosely supported on said frames:

and extending in said direction; and pressure means for shifting said support elements in said direction.

19. A support as defined in claim 6, said support having an at least substantially'horiaontal longitudinal axis; and further comprising a plurality of peripherally distributed cutter elements carried by at least the leading one of said frames, some of said cutter elements being provided in the lower regions of said support and having a forward end portion and a trailing end portion with the latter being provided with reinforcing ribs.

20. A support as defined in claim 6; and further comprising rigid teiescopable reinforcing devices bridging said operating means for preventing bending .of the same under stress.

21. A support as defined in claim 20, said reinforcing devices comprising telescopable structural members which are respectively secured to support structures provided on said bracing elements.

22. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a pluralityof supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction, said frames having an outer peripheral element and bracing elements for the same, and each of said frames having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted said plane preparatory to displacementof the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position, said operating 7 means including telescopable pressure units provided in and acting upon said outer peripheral element.

23. A support as defined in claim 22, said outer peripheral element having an upper section and two legs provided with lower ends; and wherein said pressure the like, comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction, said frames having an outer peripheral element and bracing elements therefor, and said outer peripheral. element being composed of at least two sections and including at least one hinge connecting said sections and having a'hinge axis extending in parallelism with said longitudinal direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; and operatsaid supporting frames; displacing means for displacing ing means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position.

26. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, said support having an at least substantially horizontal longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each havinga height dimension and a width dimension in aplarie transverse to said-direction; connecting meansconnecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between 'a first position and a second shifted position; operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second posi- 16 tion, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position; rollers mounted on said frames;and actuating means for downwardly displacing said rollers from a normal rest position to an operative position in which they extend downwardly beyond the lower ends of said frames for cooperation with guide rails extending in said longitudinal direction.

27. A support as defined in claim 26, said actuating means comprising pressure-exerting units mounting said rollers on said frames.

28. A support as defined in claim 27, said pressureexerting units being fluid-pressure actuated units.

29. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means conneeting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said support-ing frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frar'neto said secondposition', and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position; anchoring elements mountedon said frame; and drive means fordriving said anchoring elements into the material surrounding said support. I

30. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising at least four individual supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames, said connecting means including connecting elements extending in said direction and being located at the outwardly directed side of said frames, and said connecting elements connecting the first and third frames into a first unit and the second and fourth frames into a second unit which is independent ofsaid first unit; stilt members supporting said'connecting elements; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position, said displacing means being located between said units; and operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually insaid plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both'of said'dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position. 

1. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a plurality of upright supporting frames arrayed in longitudinal direction and each composed of at least two parts pivotally connected for pivoting movement in a plane transverse to said longitudinal direction; connecting means extending in said longitudinal direction and connecting respective ones of said supporting frames; first operating means for pivoting said parts of the respective frames outwardly away from one another, and inwardly toward one another, depending upon whether the width of a respective frame is to be increased or decreased; and second operating means for vErtically extending and retracting the respective frames, depending upon whether the height of a respective frame is to be increased or decreased.
 2. A support as defined in claim 1, wherein said parts are pivoted together at the uppermost region of the respective frame; and wherein said first operating means engages said parts at the lower region of the same frame.
 3. A support as defined in claim 2, wherein said first operating means comprises hydraulically operable means.
 4. A support as defined in claim 1, wherein said two parts have upper end portions which are transversely spaced from one another in said plane; and further comprising a cylinder-and-piston unit located between said upper end portions and having opposite ends each of which is pivoted to one of said upper end portions.
 5. A support as defined in claim 1, and further comprising displacing means for displacing said supporting frame at least individually in said longitudinal direction.
 6. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each including a peripheral element and bracing elements bracing the peripheral element, each of said frames having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; and operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position, said operating means acting upon said bracing elements in a sense lengthening and shortening the same for varying both of said dimensions of said frames in said plane.
 7. A support as defined in claim 6, wherein said displacing means is located between successive ones of said frames.
 8. A support as defined in claim 6, said frames including at least four individual frames; and wherein said connecting means comprises connecting elements extending in said direction and connecting the first and third frames into a first unit, and the second and fourth frames into a second unit which is independent of said first unit, said displacing means being located between said units.
 9. A support as defined in claim 6, said connecting means comprising elongated connecting members and connecting elements articulately connecting said connecting members with respective ones of said frames.
 10. A support as defined in claim 6, said connecting means comprising telescopable elongated connecting members, and varying means for varying the length of said members.
 11. A support as defined in claim 6, said connecting means comprising telescopable elongated connecting members, and varying means for continuously varying the length of said members.
 12. A support as defined in claim 6, said operating means comprising hydraulic presses.
 13. A support as defined in claim 6, said support having an at least substantially horizontal longitudinal axis and said bracing elements including upright bracing elements having upper end portions; and wherein said operating means are provided at least in part in the regions of said upper end portions.
 14. A support as defined in claim 6, said bracing elements comprising telescopable transverse bracing elements.
 15. A support as defined in claim 14, said transverse bracing elements having a main portion and at least one main telescopable end portion.
 16. A support as defined in claim 6, said frames including a leading frame and a trailing frame seen with reference to the direction of shifting of said support; and further comprising auxiliary components mounted on said leading frame and carried thereby.
 17. A support as defined in claim 6, said frames including a leading frame and a trailing frame seen with reference to the direction of shifting of said support; and further comprising a plurality of tubular members mounted on said leading frame paralleling said direction, and a plurality of sliding rods each accommodated in one of said tubular members and including an angled arm exteriorly of the tubular member.
 18. A support as defined in claim 6; further comprising support elements loosely supported on said frames and extending in said direction; and pressure means for shifting said support elements in said direction.
 19. A support as defined in claim 6, said support having an at least substantially horizontal longitudinal axis; and further comprising a plurality of peripherally distributed cutter elements carried by at least the leading one of said frames, some of said cutter elements being provided in the lower regions of said support and having a forward end portion and a trailing end portion with the latter being provided with reinforcing ribs.
 20. A support as defined in claim 6; and further comprising rigid telescopable reinforcing devices bridging said operating means for preventing bending of the same under stress.
 21. A support as defined in claim 20, said reinforcing devices comprising telescopable structural members which are respectively secured to support structures provided on said bracing elements.
 22. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction, said frames having an outer peripheral element and bracing elements for the same, and each of said frames having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; and operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position, said operating means including telescopable pressure units provided in and acting upon said outer peripheral element.
 23. A support as defined in claim 22, said outer peripheral element having an upper section and two legs provided with lower ends; and wherein said pressure units comprise a first pressure unit in said upper section and two second pressure units below said lower ends of the respective legs.
 24. A support as defined in claim 22, said pressure units being pressure-fluid operated; and further comprising a fluid reservoir communicating with said pressure units, and valve means for supplying additional pressure fluid to said pressure units in automatic response to a pressure drop in said units.
 25. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction, said frames having an outer peripheral element and bracing elements therefor, and said outer peripheral element being composed of at least two sections and including at least one hinge connecting said sections and having a hinge axis extending in parallelism with said longitudinal direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; and operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacemenT of the respective frame to said second position.
 26. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, said support having an at least substantially horizontal longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position; rollers mounted on said frames; and actuating means for downwardly displacing said rollers from a normal rest position to an operative position in which they extend downwardly beyond the lower ends of said frames for cooperation with guide rails extending in said longitudinal direction.
 27. A support as defined in claim 26, said actuating means comprising pressure-exerting units mounting said rollers on said frames.
 28. A support as defined in claim 27, said pressure-exerting units being fluid-pressure actuated units.
 29. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising a plurality of supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position; operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position; anchoring elements mounted on said frame; and drive means for driving said anchoring elements into the material surrounding said support.
 30. A shiftable support for use in tunnels, mines and the like, comprising at least four individual supporting frames arrayed in a longitudinal direction and each having a height dimension and a width dimension in a plane transverse to said direction; connecting means connecting longitudinally alternate ones of said supporting frames, said connecting means including connecting elements extending in said direction and being located at the outwardly directed side of said frames, and said connecting elements connecting the first and third frames into a first unit and the second and fourth frames into a second unit which is independent of said first unit; stilt members supporting said connecting elements; displacing means for displacing said supporting frames at least individually between a first position and a second shifted position, said displacing means being located between said units; and operating means for decreasing both of said dimensions of each of said frames individually in said plane preparatory to displacement of the respective frame to said second position, and for increasing both of said dimensions upon displacement of the respective frame to said second position. 